Well-being not always a perfect state

Health does not have to be a complete state of well-being. I personally believe it is a subjectively perceived concept. Ten years ago I would have contemplated this concept very differently. At the age of 40 I was still participating in triathlons and eating healthy, thinking I set myself up for aging extremely well. Suddenly I found myself making a devastating health transition. The biggest drawback for me was identifying myself as sick. On a positive note I developed empathy for my more senior clients when it came to chronic disease, chronic fatigue, facing mortality and possibility of death.

I have had extensive ongoing chemotherapy, and once I stopped identifying myself with this disease I started seeing better results. I feel more active and involved than most 50 year olds that I know. I perceive myself as a classic example of well-being, not being a perfect state. Without the physical hard work prior to diagnosis I would not have been able to manage and cope. My amazing family and social support system has greatly influenced my happiness in life, but most importantly I have realized that happiness and well-being needs to come from within.

I once cited these powerful words by Sheryl Strayed on a friends Facebook page “You don’t have a right to the cards you believe you should have been dealt with. You have an obligation to play the hell out of the ones you’re holding.” – Sheryl Strayed

As this pandemic drags on I more frequently find the need to remind myself not to identify with this surrealistic state of disease the world finds itself in. It certainly is not an ideal situation, but let’s not allow COVID to get the better of us. As we transition into a beautiful spring and summer I choose to be thankful for our wonderful, supportive community we have created. Let’s “play the hell out of this hand of cards” and make peace with the fact that well-being does not always have to be a perfect state!